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St. John’s Stout is an Irish stout–style beer brewed by Yellowbelly Brewery & Public House in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Sitting where George Street intercepts Water Street in downtown St. John’s (the oldest city in North America), YellowBelly Brewery & Public House is set in a building reconstructed after the fire of 1892. It is one of the few remaining after the Great St. John’s Fire. The “colorful” name is a nod to the Irish immigrants who entered Newfoundland between 1750 and 1830; the Yellowbellies were an Irish faction hailing from County Wexford who once famously tied strips of yellow cloth around their middles in a hurling match against the Cornish champions. Following their victory, King George III was heard to remark, “Well done the Yellowbellies!”

This traditional Irish stout is very dark, heavy, and complex with an extremely long, dry finish. The recipe calls for shovelfuls of hops in the kettle, which are also buoyed by the bitterness from the roast barley. A creamy head eventually laces the glass nicely. Notes of burnt and roasty flavors, licorice, and bittersweet chocolate come through. But there are also hints of cedar, berry, pear, walnut, and citrus. It’s meant to be a beer enjoyed with meal, particularly, steak, ribs, or oysters. At 4.8% ABV, you can have a few and enjoy!